PAULA DOCKERY

BOARD MEMBER

After a successful 16 years in the Florida legislature,
Paula Dockery is now a popular syndicated columnist. Her weekly political
insights appear in a growing number of Florida newspapers. Her blunt, honest
and informed columns stand out in the crowded field of political commentary.
She’s earned a reputation as one of Florida’s leading public truth-tellers,
unafraid to challenge powerful people or lazy conventional wisdom.

Dockery’s first foray into political commentary was
writing a weekly column for Florida Voices, an online editorial page,
chronicling her final year in the Florida Senate. When her term ended in
November 2012, she continued writing at the request of many of the papers that
were publishing her “inside the legislature” look at politics and political
players. Dockery’s approach to writing echoes her distinguished
legislative career. Elected to the Florida Senate in 2002, Dockery served 10
years and held numerous leadership positions including two stints as Senate
Majority Whip, Chair of the Law Enforcement Council; the Environmental
Protection Committee; the Criminal Justice Committee and the Home Defense and
Seaport Security Committee.

Dockery was first elected to the Florida House
of Representatives in 1996 as the first Republican to serve that district. In
her six years in the House she served as House Majority Whip, Chair of the
Environmental Protection Committee, and Chair of the General Government
Appropriations.